Artoria had transformed from a girl into a woman; though she still wore her signature blue and white knight attire, a subtle softness had replaced some of the former rigidity. The term "white, rich, and beautiful"—a perfect description—seemed tailor-made for her.

Fumizaki An and Katsura Hinagiku regarded her with a touch of surprise, sensing a change they couldn't quite articulate. This was natural; though intelligent, they had yet to experience the ways of the world, and thus could not discern the transition from maiden to woman.

Artoria would not speak of it, and Lin Luo certainly wouldn't either. Why invite trouble when peace was attainable? He wasn't foolish enough to seek complications where none existed. Makoto—Brother Makoto, the industry legend whose cautionary tale inspired all who followed—would have turned back, for IQ was the true measure of a man. With an IQ over 250, even halved, Lin Luo still possessed the intellect of several Makotos; he would never tread the same path.

The mastermind behind the scenes was mercifully considerate. Though the business between Lin Luo and Artoria was settled, the riddle involving the two rooms remained unsolved. One was on the second floor, the other on the first; opening the door in either location led to the same shared chamber. Since the invitation was too generous to refuse, Lin Luo accepted gladly. After all, the daily grind of slaying monsters and leveling up was exhausting, and a little evening diversion offered a fine blend of work and relaxation.

As for Artoria? She was like Eve tasting the forbidden fruit for the first time. Though she initially resisted, half-heartedly pushing back, she soon fully acclimated to this life. They became like any ordinary young couple: battling monsters by day and living a blissfully unashamed, intimate life by night.

One month passed, uneventful.

Two months went by, still perfectly calm.

But in the third month, trouble finally struck: Artoria’s belly had visibly distended.

Everyone knew that since Artoria drew the Sword in the Stone, her physiological functions had ceased entirely. She remained forever fifteen, her chest perpetually Type A. She wouldn't gain weight no matter how much she ate, nor did she suffer hunger if she fasted, and the ordinary monthly cycles of a woman never visited. In short, her body was fixed, like a high-quality figurine; barring death, it simply would not change. Otherwise, judging by her sister Morgan’s magnificent endowment, Artoria would at least rate a C-cup.

It was precisely because of this knowledge that Artoria dismissed her recent craving for sour foods as mere taste fluctuation. She chalked up occasional trips to the restroom to empty her stomach as simple satiety from overly rich meals. Even the listlessness and fatigue that sometimes plagued her all day she blamed on exhausting herself the night before. But!

It was only when she discovered her waistline, unchanged for twenty years, had suddenly expanded, making it difficult to even fasten her knight’s armor, that she realized something was terribly wrong. She hastily summoned Lin Luo, and after a meticulous examination, he was forced to confront an ironclad fact: history was a lie, designed only to fool the simple-minded!

Who said the King couldn't conceive due to her fixed physical form? Go to hell! Who said the King, being an extraordinary female, had no biological functions? Go to hell! Who claimed medieval women couldn't get pregnant regardless of their activities? Go to hell, go to hell!

If all that were true, what, then, was this little being growing inside the King’s belly?

“You said what! Pregnant?” Upon hearing the results of Lin Luo’s check, Artoria was even more shocked than he—no, perhaps her mind simply short-circuited. She had never imagined she would ever conceive; it was more incredible to her than achieving godhood!

“I don't think my intuition is misleading me. There is a second cluster of life energy in your abdomen, and it is definitely not bacteria or insects; it’s human,” Lin Luo nodded, though his expression mirrored hers. He had listened to those deceitful rumors, which was why he hadn't taken any precautions. Why hadn't anyone heeded the warnings preached throughout the 21st century: "Intimacy requires caution, condoms must be worn"?

“Are you sure?” Artoria still couldn't quite believe it.

“One hundred percent!”

Hearing Lin Luo’s unequivocal reply, Artoria froze for a few seconds, then suddenly threw open her arms, closed her eyes, and adopted an expression of resolute sacrifice. “Come on!”

“Huh?” Lin Luo blinked, momentarily confused.

“Hit me,” Artoria opened her eyes and stated clearly.

“What?” Though Lin Luo heard her, he was even more bewildered. Why would she ask him to strike her out of the blue? Had the King’s masochistic side emerged? But he wasn't a sadist.

In that moment, the shyness and panic were gone from Artoria’s eyes, replaced only by calm and fortitude—the very expression she held when she was King. She said in a low voice, “Punch me in the stomach. That will end the child.”

“Ugh!” Lin Luo immediately froze. He finally understood the principle of extremes meeting: they had lived like a normal couple without incident, allowing Artoria's royal side to recede, transforming her into a true woman. But with the genesis of life within her, both her physical and mental equilibrium were shattered. The suppressed King within her surged back, once again dominating her entire being.

Killing the unborn child—that was what she, as King, needed to do.

“I am King; a King cannot bear children,” Artoria stated, her voice firm.

Lin Luo couldn't help but frown. “No one ever said a King couldn't have children.”

Faced with Lin Luo’s objection, Artoria calmly rebutted, “I ascended the throne of Britain as a woman, which was already contrary to custom. That is why I publicly declared myself a man. Even if my true gender is no longer a secret, it is only circulated among a select few knights; the common folk still believe their King is male. However, if this King bears a child, I can no longer protect my country in the capacity of a King.”

“That’s only how you see it. You once said a King’s gender was unimportant. If that’s true, what does it matter now?” Lin Luo shook his head, trying to persuade her. “Besides, you must realize we have to stay here for at least another eight months. That’s plenty of time for the child to be born, meaning there’s no risk of outside knowledge.”

“That’s the biggest problem!” Artoria glared at him, her next words striking the core issue. “Do you really think, given our current circumstances, that I can safely give birth to this child?”

The Abyss Demon race was numerous, and the Faint-Roamers were growing restless. Though the two factions hadn't yet allied, both sides displayed hostility toward their party. Over the past three months, they had fought over a dozen battles, often walking the edge of death. While this rapid growth in strength came at a cost, one slip-up could lead to eternal ruin. In such a situation, Artoria’s pregnancy meant losing a vital combatant, but more critically... if the barrier shattered during her labor and the Abyss Demons surged in, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Lin Luo could not refute this point; he agreed that, given the situation, Artoria’s assessment was correct. Sacrificing the unborn child would increase everyone’s security. This cold, logical judgment was the fundamental difference between her as King Arthur and as an ordinary woman. But!

If this was her resolution, Lin Luo could accept it even less!

This time, she chose to sacrifice her unborn child to protect the group. What about the next time they faced a similar dilemma? Would she sacrifice herself, or sacrifice a few others to save the many? Avoiding difficulty by resorting to sacrifice was an escape, an incorrect path, and certainly not the symbol of courage!

Whether as a man, a prospective father, or simply as himself, Lin Luo felt a responsibility and obligation to stop her. He spoke with sudden authority: “You are not needed for the upcoming battles. We will find a way to manage. You will stay right here and be safe.”

“I cannot. This is no longer your fight alone; I cannot stand idly by,” Artoria met his intensity with her own resolve.

“Nor can I,” Lin Luo would not back down. There was a trace of self-reproach in his expression, but overriding it was the gravity of responsibility. “I thought it would be best if you weren't pregnant. If there were a way to prevent this from happening at the start, I absolutely would have taken it. But now you are nearly three months along—that is a life. I am not so cruel as to personally slay my own child.”

Artoria stared at him steadily. She had known this man before, and after months of intimacy, she knew him even better. She understood he would never raise a hand against her. She finally said, “Then I will do it myself.”

“You—” Lin Luo thought she was joking, but Artoria proved him wrong; when she said she would do it, she immediately swung a fist toward her own abdomen.

Lin Luo reacted instantly, intercepting the blow with his arm. Smack! Artoria’s punch was blocked, carrying a heavy impact. If that blow had landed on her belly, it would have been no small matter.

But while Lin Luo blocked her fist, he didn't stop her momentum. In the next second, Artoria shifted her weight, snatched up the nearby Sword of Kings, and bolted from the room.

“Damn it!” Lin Luo paused for a beat, then instantly grasped her intent and immediately gave chase.